personally i wouldnt be buying form over seas as its a long way to send it back for warranty.
most of the vw shops will do turn key engines. where are you and that may help people point you in the right direction.
also do you have a budget in mind?

Engines are a case of, 'you get what you pay for.' Turn key are built down to a price, for a bulk supply of engines for the industry you might say. In Oz there isn't really that kind of demand, so generally most VW shops will overhaul 'your' engine so any/all cost is carried by the customer.

Having said that there are still engine rebuilds and there are engine rebuilds.

As for sourcing from overseas.......I'd say 30% of my engine builds are redoing others work. Some are local professionals, one recently was a 'turn key' from the States that didn't even make it out of the driveway, and some are also people 'having a go' themselves.

All of the rebuilds that I undertake for example, are a cafefully determined combination of components to hopefully give the owner exactly what they want within budget. This is never easy as there is myriad of parts that vary in quality and performance that are available, so some experience here is priceless (so to speak).

Then there's the installation and first start up proceedure and camshaft breakin and tune up. All needing to be expertly done for long engine life. Go pro including the install if you ask me !! Obviously everyone has different levels of experience and their own set of circumstances so depends on what fits .

build one here will save u a lot of headaches

where are u located ??? check out the local guys near you

do u have a budget and what parts do u have already

Three and a half grand isn't much for an engine. With a budget like that, I'm not sure that you could really afford to get an engine professionally built. I have plans to eventually build my own engine and it will cost me more than that in parts. I would recommend that you source a used 1600cc twin-port engine in good running condition, then add on a nice pair of Webers and a quality exhaust. That will leave a little bit of money left over in your budget and you will have a nice engine. If you could find a used hotted-up engine to buy, then that would be even better, but it might take a bit of searching.

Even those cruddy mexican 1600 crate engines are more than $3.5k now

If your engine is in good health now why not spend 1/2 that and add a few mods, twin carbs, decent exhaust and ignition system?

Search is your friend:

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=87726 

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=87946 

I have a workshop at the north end of the Sunshine Coast, between Nossa and Cooroy. If you want to see some engines and what you can do come up for a visit. I generally have 3 or 4 on the go, but I do specialise in the better quality of build than you may get a your local garage. At the moment I have 2 1915's, one 2.0, one 2332, one or two 2447's, one 2840 type 4 and a few hipo little engine projects on the drawing board. If you time it right, some times there is a bug or two you can test.

For $3500 you may want to spend it on freshening up what you have, or mildly up grading it, if it's in really good condition you could put on a pair of decent heads and carbs and exhaust, but money may be a bit tight for all that as a drive in-drive out deal.

I have no experience of them but there's a company on Bribie Island just down the road from you - can't think of their name at the moment though. But might be best to get your boat out and come up to see Matthew

Quote:

Originally posted by ancientbugger I have no experience of them but there's a company on Bribie Island just down the road from you - can't think of their name at the moment though. But might be best to get your boat out and come up to see Matthew

The only reason that I would consider importing an engine, would be if there was nobody here who could build a good one.

Do your homework, shop around, and listen to people who know what they are talking about.

We have some of the worlds best here in Australia.

Cheers, Greg

yep my old gf got an engine USA turn key n it was great
until we started it up in her beetle n found it had a cracked case so it was as good as useless n needed a total rebuild
very expensive

Definitely worth dropping in to see Matt on the coast, he kept my Manx going for many years!!! lol. Definitely one of the gurus with vw engines etc.